33
Metascore
13 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 63Chicago Sun-TimesMary HoulihanChicago Sun-TimesMary HoulihanDespite some fine production values, lovely photography and smart casting of a range of British stage and screen actors, The Christmas Candle can’t quite move beyond the weary metaphors. It has the feel of a slick television movie.
- 60Los Angeles TimesMartin TsaiLos Angeles TimesMartin TsaiThe Christmas Candle" seems destined to be a Hallmark movie of the week. But in spite of the hammy histrionics requisite for the genre, it is not at all a turkey.
- 50Washington PostStephanie MerryWashington PostStephanie MerryIt’s hard to imagine this tale of tradition and miracles leading skeptics to contemplation, much less faith.
- 50New York PostKyle SmithNew York PostKyle SmithUltimately, this throwback, made-for-TV-style film takes the easy way out in a cheesy climax, but its resolute quaintness may appeal to the kind of viewers who regard electricity as disturbingly newfangled.
- 40The Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckThe Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckIts hopelessly stodgy execution will test the patience of even the most enthusiastic audiences for faith-based films.
- 40The New York TimesNicolas RapoldThe New York TimesNicolas RapoldThe residents of the English village Gladbury in the period holiday film The Christmas Candle might as well be bustling about in a snow globe for all their dimples, yuletide obsession and quaint, consumptive coughs.
- 40EmpirePatrick PetersEmpirePatrick PetersIndigestible Christmas stodge.
- 30Austin ChronicleAustin ChronicleThe Christmas Candle is not only as picturesque and beautiful as a holiday card but also just as two-dimensionally flat.
- 30Arizona RepublicRandy CordovaArizona RepublicRandy CordovaThe whole thing is sentimental corn, which isn’t bad if it’s handled with conviction and sincerity. But the direction by John Stephenson (better known for special effects than directing) is resolutely stiff and hollow. That’s murder for a movie dealing with miracles.
- 20New York Daily NewsJoe NeumaierNew York Daily NewsJoe NeumaierThis odd Dickens-meets-Sunday-school movie is as artless as the setup is muddled.